Telugu Desam president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is keen not to disturb his party’s alliance with the BJP. This was the indication he gave at the 35th Mahanadu or annual conference of the party which concluded in the port city of Visakhapatanam on Sunday.
Addressing the party delegates from both the Telugu States of AP and Telangana, Naidu said that the decision to form an alliance was taken in the larger interest of the State. “Don’t make any comments on the alliance,” he categorically told the party leaders.
He also told them not to give any sharp reaction to any comments by the other party. “leave this to the party leadership. Stop criticising others,” he said.
On the controversy over Centre’s failure in giving special category status to the State, Naidu said, “The Union Government was helping the State by providing special package which has all the ingredients of special status,” Naidu said.
Naidu’s remarks came in the backdrop of recent irritation between the two allies after some TDP leaders made disapproving noises following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with State’s leader of Opposition YS Jaganmohan Reddy.
Subsequently Naidu also met BJP president Amit Shah to sort out the differences.
In his address to Mahanadu, Naidu laid emphasis on preparations for the next elections and set the target of securing 80% votes in the State.
He urged the party workers to word hard and spread the word about the good work of the TDP Government.
Mahanadu also reiterated its demand that its founder NT Rama Rao should be awarded country’s highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna.
Mahanadu on its second day passed a resolution unanimously urging the Union Government to bestow the award on NTR, the film star turned politician who had founded Telugu Desam in 1982.
Thousands of delegates from all over Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were attending the two day conference in the port city.
Moving the resolution, the chief advisor to Telugu Desam Government Parkala Prabhakar said that already there should be a signature campaign in the State in support of the demand.
Mahanadu coincides with the birth anniversary of NTR on May 28. Since the death of NTR in January 1996, the party conference has been regularly demanding Baharat Ratna for its founder.
Party’s national president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu paying tributes to
NTR said, “He will always be remembered for bringing political awareness among the masses and fighting for the self respect of the Telugu people.”